Amphetamine: Meaning, Uses, Side Effects & Types

Amphetamines are powerful stimulant drugs that affect the central nervous system. They’re effective in helping manage attention does alcohol cause dry eyes deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) or narcolepsy, but they’re also prone to misuse and abuse. Stimulants include amphetamines, meth (methamphetamine), cocaine, methylphenidate (Ritalin, Concerta, others) and amphetamine-dextroamphetamine (Adderall XR, Mydayis).

We strive to create content that is clear, concise, and easy to understand. You miss out on or don’t go to as many recreational, social, or work activities because of your amphetamine use. Recovery means different things to different people, according to their experiences, belief systems, culture, identity, and method of recovery.

Who’s at risk for amphetamine dependence?

A person’s tolerance begins slowly, which could result in dependence over time. If you take amphetamines and feel you are dependent on the drug, talk with your healthcare provider. Research shows that people with ADHD had a lower rate of substance use disorder if they were medically treated versus not receiving treatment. Yes, your healthcare provider might offer low-dose amphetamines to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in your child, like Adderall ® or Ritalin ®.

They’re often used and misused in search of a «high,» or to boost energy, to improve performance at drinker nose work or school, or to lose weight or control appetite. As time passes, you may need larger doses of the drug to get high. As your drug use increases, you may find that it’s increasingly difficult to go without the drug. Attempts to stop drug use may cause intense cravings and make you feel physically ill. Amphetamines are illegal when they are used without a prescription to get high or improve performance. In this case, they are known as street, or recreational drugs, and using them can lead to addiction.

Yes, amphetamines can pass into breast milk (chest milk) at low levels if parents follow the provider-prescribed dosage. Some studies show that this does not harm the development of the baby. If you are taking amphetamines as a new parent, talk with your provider about whether or not it is safe to breastfeed. You should take FDA-approved amphetamines orally (by mouth) as directed by your healthcare provider. Stimulants increase the activity of your central nervous system or the part of your brain that sends messages to nerves to tell them how to complete their jobs. In certain cases, psychotic symptoms can last for months or years after methamphetamine abuse has ceased.

What Is Amphetamine Addiction, Tolerance, and Dependence?

Addiction happens when you use amphetamines to get high or improve performance. You are not able to control your use of it and you need it to get through daily life. You should only take the amount of amphetamine as prescribed by your healthcare provider. Misusing or taking amphetamines that your provider did not prescribe to you can cause dangerous side effects and could lead to addiction or death. Amphetamines cause your central nervous system to work quickly. This could feel like a “rush” or a euphoric feeling that makes you happy and elevates your mood.

Amphetamines create a calming effect for children diagnosed with ADHD by targeting the chemicals in their brain that transmit signals between nerves in the central nervous system. Stopping consumption after long-term use results also causes amphetamine withdrawal symptoms. A person’s first step toward recovery is to reach out to a friend, family member, or healthcare professional to seek help. A person may need help for different types of substances or for mental health conditions alongside substance misuse. The most effective treatments for amphetamine addiction are cognitive-behavioral intervention and contingency-management models.

However, none of these are proven to prevent amphetamine use in everyone. There are many reasons a person may fall into a pattern of amphetamine misuse or develop SUD. Seeking help for addiction may feel daunting or even scary, but several organizations can provide support. Chemical changes in the brain help the cycle repeat until the person cannot escape the cycle. You’ll soon start receiving the latest Mayo Clinic health information you requested in your inbox.

1. These changes to the brain mean that a person may always be at risk of using a substance again, even if they have not used it for a long time.
2. However, meth has a high potential for abuse, which can mean dangerous and fatal consequences.
3. The estimated annual prevalence of a stimulant use disorder involving amphetamines is 0.2 percent among U.S. adults, according to the DSM-5.

After the initial rush, there is typically a state of high agitation that in some individuals may lead to violent behavior. If you or a loved one is struggling with amphetamine addiction, seek professional help. As a caregiver or family member, offer support and encourage your loved one to seek treatment. It’s a chronic brain disorder involving compulsive drug seeking and use despite negative consequences.

Amphetamine dependence, a type of stimulant use disorder, occurs when you need the drug to function on a daily basis. You’ll experience symptoms of withdrawal if you’re dependent and you abruptly stop using the drug. Misuse of prescription drugs, including amphetamines, can lead to addiction. The proper name for addiction to a substance is substance use disorder (SUD). Help from your health care provider, family, friends, support groups or an organized treatment program can help you overcome your drug addiction and stay drug-free.

It is important for people to remember that they do not need to feel embarrassed about seeking help. Researchers have also studied amphetamines for use in people with obesity, narcolepsy, cocaine dependence, and other conditions. An individual’s brain chemistry changes during regular misuse of a substance or activity. The brain’s reward circuit changes, reducing a person’s ability to exercise self-control and leading to strong urges to continue.

People who use these drugs, especially methamphetamine, have a high chance of getting HIV and hepatitis B and C. This is from activities such as sharing used needles with someone who is already infected with one of these diseases. Other risky behaviors that can be linked to drug use, such as having unsafe sex, can also increase the chance of becoming infected with one of these diseases. Yes, amphetamines have a high potential for abuse and addiction despite medical uses. The Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA) categorized amphetamines as a Schedule II Substance. If a person suspects that they may have a drug misuse problem, then they should consult a medical professional.

Can I drink alcohol with amphetamines?

If you experience withdrawal symptoms while you’re following your prescribed schedule, talk with your healthcare provider. Amphetamines are stimulant drugs that speed up how your body functions. Healthcare providers may prescribe amphetamines to people with ADHD or narcolepsy. Providers may also use amphetamines to treat obesity, though this is less common.

Examples include methylenedioxymethamphetamine, also called MDMA, ecstasy or molly, and gamma-hydroxybutyric acid, known as GHB. Other examples include ketamine and flunitrazepam or Rohypnol — a brand used outside the U.S. — also called roofie. These drugs are not all in the same category, but they share some similar effects and dangers, including long-term harmful effects.

You may become dependent if you use these drugs without a prescription. You can also become na vs aa dependent if you take more than prescribed. It’s even possible to develop a use disorder if you take amphetamines according to your doctor’s directions. Treatment aims to help a person stop misusing drugs and improve their relationships with family, work, and society.